Couple wanted in Ocala are arrested in Michigan

Published: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 5:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 5:28 p.m.

A couple allegedly involved in robbing a woman in Ocala last week were arrested Tuesday in Michigan.

Ocala police officials said Kernal Deon Duncan, 42, and Heather Marie Swank, 24, were taken into custody at different locations in Michigan. They both are being charged with robbery with a firearm.

Another man involved in the robbery has not yet been positively identified.

Detective Jorge Fernandez noted in his report that the victim had known Duncan and Swank for years and that on June 7, they came to her office on Northeast Ninth Avenue. Swank said she did not feel well and left the office, then returned with an unidentified man. The victim said that man pulled out a handgun and held her at gunpoint and said he did not want to kill her. The phone rang and the woman said she answered it and yelled for the person on the line to call police.

The woman told Fernandez that she tried to get the gun and while she was doing so, Duncan grabbed her purse and began to walk away. She said she let go of the gunman and turned her attention to Duncan. She said Swank and the gunman pushed her away from Duncan and the three of them left with her purse, which contained her wallet, some pills, some cash, her driver's license and prepaid Visa cards. She said she chased after them and grabbed the gunman's shirt but couldn't hold on to it, the report states.

According to the report, the three got into a gray Lincoln that began to drive away. The victim grabbed the passenger door and windshield wiper in an attempt to stop them, but they drove off, knocking her to the ground, where her left arm was injured and she got a bruise on her head.

The Lincoln was later found by patrol units at a home. The owner of the residence was identified as a Curtis Duncan, the brother of Kernal Duncan. The victim's purse and wallet were found outside the home.

Fernandez obtained warrants for the arrest of Duncan and Swank. He later learned they had gone to Michigan, where Swank has relatives, reports note.

Officers with the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team and U.S. Marshal's Office found them and arrested them.

The gunman is still being sought. Anyone with information about his identity can call Fernandez at 369-7145 or OPD at 369-7000. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 368-7867, text 274637 using keyword 368STOP or go to www.ocalacrimestoppers.com

<p>A couple allegedly involved in robbing a woman in Ocala last week were arrested Tuesday in Michigan.</p><p>Ocala police officials said Kernal Deon Duncan, 42, and Heather Marie Swank, 24, were taken into custody at different locations in Michigan. They both are being charged with robbery with a firearm.</p><p>Another man involved in the robbery has not yet been positively identified.</p><p>Detective Jorge Fernandez noted in his report that the victim had known Duncan and Swank for years and that on June 7, they came to her office on Northeast Ninth Avenue. Swank said she did not feel well and left the office, then returned with an unidentified man. The victim said that man pulled out a handgun and held her at gunpoint and said he did not want to kill her. The phone rang and the woman said she answered it and yelled for the person on the line to call police.</p><p>The woman told Fernandez that she tried to get the gun and while she was doing so, Duncan grabbed her purse and began to walk away. She said she let go of the gunman and turned her attention to Duncan. She said Swank and the gunman pushed her away from Duncan and the three of them left with her purse, which contained her wallet, some pills, some cash, her driver's license and prepaid Visa cards. She said she chased after them and grabbed the gunman's shirt but couldn't hold on to it, the report states.</p><p>According to the report, the three got into a gray Lincoln that began to drive away. The victim grabbed the passenger door and windshield wiper in an attempt to stop them, but they drove off, knocking her to the ground, where her left arm was injured and she got a bruise on her head.</p><p>The Lincoln was later found by patrol units at a home. The owner of the residence was identified as a Curtis Duncan, the brother of Kernal Duncan. The victim's purse and wallet were found outside the home.</p><p>Fernandez obtained warrants for the arrest of Duncan and Swank. He later learned they had gone to Michigan, where Swank has relatives, reports note. </p><p>Officers with the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team and U.S. Marshal's Office found them and arrested them. </p><p>The gunman is still being sought. Anyone with information about his identity can call Fernandez at 369-7145 or OPD at 369-7000. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 368-7867, text 274637 using keyword 368STOP or go to www.ocalacrimestoppers.com</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>